QUEZON CITY - One is in search of more recognition, while the other is looking to revive his once stellar career. Though in different situations, both Filipino superstars Donnie Nietes and Nonito Donaire Jr. have one thing on their minds and that is a spectacular finish in the Pinoy Pride 30 - “D-Day” show at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.
“I really have a plan to knock him out so that I can impress the fans. I like his style because he comes in,” said the 32-year-old Nietes after yesterday’s weigh-in.
Nietes (34-1, 20 KOs) defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight belt along with his lineal The Ring Magazine title against young Mexican challenger Gilberto Parra (19-2, 17 KOs).
“Donnie himself believes that he can score a knockout. I feel that Donnie will knock him out in eight rounds,” said Nietes’ trainer Edmund Villamor. Nietes was recently enshrined in the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Hall of Fame and was also given the shiny gold The Ring Magazine title the other day.
He also surpassed Elorde as the longest reigning Filipino world champion at the turn of this year. Though he is already a legend his own right, Nietes’ search for greatness still continues, starting with a title defense against former world champion Francisco Rodriguez followed by a move at 112 pounds where he hopes to face the best flyweights like Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez.
After suffering the most devastating loss of his career, some have already written out Donaire Jr. But Donaire Jr. (33-3, 21 KOs) still believes that he still has it and he’ll prove it tonight when he beats a credible opponent in William Prado (22-4-1, 15 KOs).
“That loss has never affected me,” said Donaire Jr. of his sixth round knockout loss to Nicholas Walters. “I’ll rise up to be better. That loss has brought new life to me.”
Nonito Donaire Sr. believes that his son will have a stunning comeback and revive his career starting with a picture perfect knockout.
“I feel that this won’t get past the sixth round,” said Donaire Sr., who molded his son’s career.
Unbeaten up-and-comer Albert Pagara (22-0, 15 KOs) defends his WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight title against hard-hitting Rodolfo Hernandez (26-5-1, 24 KOs) in another Filipino-Mexican showdown.
“If the opportunity comes, I’ll knock him out. I’ll break him like a twig,” Pagara said of the lanky Mexican.
ALA Promotions promoted Japanese fighter Ryo Akaho (25-1-2, 17 KOs) faces off with Ghanaian Prosper Ankrah (24-4, 15 KOs) for the vacant WBO International bantamweight belt. In the undercard, two-time world title challenger AJ Banal (32-2-1, 22 KOs) slugs it out with Indonesian Junior Bajawa (14-5, 7 KOs), Joepher Montano (2-0, 1 KO) takes on Aussie Tyson Maher (0-1), Jesson Umbal (7-3, 6 KOs) squares off with Eric Panza (7-3-1, KO) and Ralph Lulu (10-0-1, 5 KOs) is up against Gerry Patenio (4-7-2, 2 KOs).